How to withdraw your child from public school and homeschool in Vermont

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what Vermont requires to start

   The parent sends the Secretary of Education (Agency of Education) an enrollment notice of intent on the Agency's form, and the Agency sends back a written acknowledgment that serves as enrollment verification. It is notice with acknowledgment, not approval. The older 'Form A' and the end-of-year submissions were replaced by the 2023 changes.

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   The Agency's FAQ tells parents to wait for the written acknowledgment before withdrawing the child from school. The statute does not mention a separate withdrawal letter or exit meeting, so the school's own process is not found in primary sources, and telling the school in writing is common courtesy.

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   The notice is due at least 10 business days before home study begins, and the Agency acknowledges within 10 business days of a complete notice. An annual notice of intent to continue is due at least 10 business days before each following year's start, and ending home study requires written notice to the Secretary within 10 business days.

4. Step 4. Ask for your child’s records

   Under FERPA (34 CFR 99.10) a parent may inspect and request a copy of the child's education records, and the school must respond within 45 days. A Vermont-specific records right on withdrawal was not found in primary sources.

5. Step 5. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan

   Vermont requires independent professional evidence about any documented disability for a child new to Vermont schools or home study, and the Agency states that home study children do not receive special education supports through the school. Under 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4) a parent may revoke consent to special education services in writing, which ends those services after prior written notice from the district.

Before you pull your child out

A letter you can fill in

Fill in the boxes and copy the letter. It is built from what we found above for Vermont: the items Vermont asks to be included are listed in it. The state also has an official form, so send that with the letter. Check it against the state office before you send it.

[today's date]

To: The Secretary of Education, Vermont Agency of Education [name and address]

Re: Notice of intent to home school, [child's full name]

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am the parent of [child's full name], born [date of birth], who is currently enrolled in grade [grade] at [name of current school]. Under 16 V.S.A. 166b, I am notifying you that I will be providing a home education program for my child beginning [start date].

Vermont asks that this notice include the following (complete or confirm each one):
- Child's name, age and full date of birth [fill in]
- Legal-custody parents: names, addresses, emails, town, phones [fill in]
- Attestation of end-of-year progress assessment and keeping its record [fill in]
- Independent professional evidence on any disability, for children new to Vermont [fill in]
- Attestation of 175 days of instruction in the minimum course of study [fill in]
- Signatures of all parents with decision-making authority, or sole-authority attestation [fill in]

I am also submitting the state form, Home Study Enrollment Notice of Intent (Agency of Education), with this letter.

Please also treat this letter as my notice that my child is withdrawn from [name of current school] effective [start date].

I also request a copy of my child's education records, including the cumulative file, attendance and any testing records. Please send them to the address below.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your address]

Who to ask in Vermont

Vermont Agency of Education, Home Study, last checked October 2026.

A plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the current rules with the state office before you send anything.

Questions